This application seeks partial support for the upcoming Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology (FASEB) conference entitled, "Skeletal Muscle Satellite and Stem Cells", which will be held July 20-25, 2014 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This will be the 8th conference focusing on satellite cell/stem cells and the 7th sponsored by FASEB. Based on trends from the past FASEB conferences held in the United States, we expect approximately 185 attendees from around the world (venue capacity for Steamboat Springs). The overall objectives of this biennial meeting include the following: 1) to provide a comprehensive analysis and integration of recent discoveries in the field with the goal of understanding the regulatory mechanisms controlling normal and abnormal functions of muscle stem cells in regeneration, muscle homeostasis, hypertrophy, aging and myopathic states;2) to create and foster an interactive environment for the exchange of ideas and unpublished data to hasten discoveries and facilitate new and existing collaborations;3) to provide opportunities for students and junior investigators to present their work and network with senior investigators to foster career development;4) to facilitate career development of women and other underrepresented groups at all levels by ensuring appropriate representation in the planning, execution and participation in the conference program. No other scientific meeting has a primary focus on muscle satellite and stem cells. The need for a meeting with this focus is evidenced by the steady increase in attendance since the meeting's inception and the consistently excellent post-meeting evaluations by meeting attendees. In addition, this meeting attracts essentially all of the leading muscle stem cell researchers from around the world, further demonstrating the value of this meeting for established and future leaders in the field. The meeting will consist of eight platform sessions with a total of at least 44 speakers. A minimum of 16 speakers will be chosen from submitted abstracts based on the quality and impact of the work within the major themes of the conference, with inclusion of junior investigators being a priority in the selection process. The conference will also include three poster sessions, providing ample opportunity for students and junior investigators to present their work. Major themes will include transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of stem cells, satellite cel heterogeneity and potential, stem cell signaling and environmental interactions, satellite cell quiescence, activation and renewal, non-satellite stem cells, satellite cell proliferation, commitment and differentiation, muscle stem cells in growth and hypertrophy, and muscle stem cells in aging and disease. Collectively, this conference will provide a venue to present cutting edge research and promote collaborative interactions among all participants with the goal of advancing a fundamental understanding of muscle stem cell biology, and ultimately, translating this knowledge to the clinic.

Public Health Relevance

The aim of this conference is to highlight and disseminate recent discoveries in muscle stem cell biology with the goal of understanding the normal functions of satellite cells and other muscle-derived stem cells in muscle growth, regeneration, and maintenance of muscle function. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate stem cell functions in healthy muscle, as well as in disease states, will hasten development of therapeutic approaches to treat muscle diseases, injuries, and age-related loss in muscle function.